Adelaide Afternoon Newsbyte
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Relief for Tour Down Under fans as Stage 1 is given the green light, a Greenwith woman's fear as her home is targeted by arsonists for the second time and an Edwardstown warehouse is gutted by fire.

TEN

21 Jan 2014

News

TDU race director Mike Turtur provided official confirmation on Monday afternoon that Tuesday's Stage 1 from Nuriootpa to Angaston would start as planned.

"Our first thoughts are with the people affected by this fire, that it was a decision based on the information from the experts," Turtur said.

"We feel deeply for the people who have had property loss and damage, and also the organisations that have been on the ground fighting this fire, I take my hat off to all of them.

"The concern of the riders about racing in the region that's been affected by this, they were a bit concerned it might be taken the wrong way but we've assured them this is the best thing we can do - bring activity into the region and economic benefit.

"They feel a lot more comfortable about that of course, it's hopefully going to be a good day and in our own way we can help out.

Monday's forecast temperature is 33 degrees and Tuesday is 29 with increasing wind.

US team Garmin-Sharp director Geert Van Bondt said his riders would do 2-3 hours of solid training if the stage didn't start.

"I have discussed with my riders if the race doesn't go on - in my opinion, we need to do some race simulation," Van Bondt said.

"We didn't train too much on Friday because it was too warm so we had the criterium on Sunday night and an easier day planned on Monday, so if Tuesday is cancelled and the race starts on Wednesday that's almost a week in between. We would most likely do three hours with some climbs.

"Everyone is a bit nervous, of course, everyone wants to race and that's why we're here.

"But the first concern and the most important thing is the riders can do their job in a safe environment."

Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE inspected the Stage 1 route on Friday morning after driving to Kapunda so riders could pedal up Menglers Hill and home through the Gorge.

Sports director Matt White said riders were hopeful of starting the stage but had full faith in organisers that it would only go ahead if it was deemed safe.

"We understand if the stage can't be on, it's due to safety concerns," he said.

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